One Year of Afro Swiss Families - A Journey of Connection & Learning
Dear Friends and Supporters of Afro Swiss Families,
October marks one year anniversary, and we want to take a moment to look back on the past year—a year that has been defined by the wonderful friendships that have blossomed among us as parents and our children, as well as the numerous valuable lessons we've learned while developing this project.
Afro Swiss Families was born out of a need for spaces that provide affirmation, celebration, connection, learning, and safety for both our daughters, ourselves and other families in similar situations. While this began with our little family, it has blossomed into so much more. The more we engage with other parents, children, caregivers, educators, and allies, it becomes clear that the vision is only be achievable through the collective spirit and unwavering commitment of the broader community.
We started with a simple website and Instagram page, each presenting their own unique learning curves. Balancing this voluntary passion project with work, family life, and other commitments has been a juggling act to say the least. While rooted in love, it has at times pushed us beyond our comfort zones, occasionally leading to moments of doubt or simply figuring things out as we went along. Even so, the growing “pains”, digital learning curves, and event coordination challenges, this group and project have allowed us and our children to establish meaningful connections with other parents, caregivers, children, and allies. It's been an all round journey of growth and discovery.
Given that the core mission of Afro Swiss Families revolves around providing spaces and opportunities for our children to engage with other Afro-European children living in Switzerland, we, as parents, are resolute in pooling our collective knowledge, experiences, and resources to nurture empowered children. The "Meet & Play" events have undeniably served as the heartbeat and soul of Afro Swiss Families. Witnessing our daughters connect with peers who share the multi-hyphenate identifier, observing friendships blossom, and witnessing the sheer excitement on their faces during these gatherings are moments that we will always hold dear. These Meet & Play events highlight the transformative power of community, and being in a space where you see yourself and your family dynamic reflected in various forms.
As our community continues to grow, so does the need for organisational structure. Currently, we are actively exploring various structures that will allow us to uphold Afro Swiss Families' core mission while addressing the diverse needs of members across different age groups. We will provide more details on the Afro Swiss Families organisational structure during our upcoming annual general meeting, which is open to all interested parties.
Our goal is to ensure the sustainability and enduring presence of Afro Swiss Families, recognizing that it truly takes a village to raise children. We want to be transparent about one aspect: Afro Swiss Families has mainly been funded from our personal resources. While this endeavor is a labor of love, we must face up to the sustainability questions. Nonetheless, we are determined to secure the group's future, expand our activities, and further develop our digital platforms. To achieve this, we are actively exploring avenues to establish a funding structure and have soft-launched a membership donations platform.
As we look forward to the upcoming year, we are filled with excitement for this project. Yes, we have grand aspirations for Afro Swiss Families and remain convinced that with your steadfast engagement and support, we can translate these aspirations into reality. Together, we can create spaces in which our families, especially our multi-hyphenate children, can flourish—a space where their identities and lived experiences are acknowledged and celebrated, and where enduring connections are created.
Once more, our heartfelt thanks to the remarkable individuals and organizations we've had the privilege to connect with. Each of you, whether as a parent, child, part of an organization, or an ally, brings a unique perspective, narrative, and passion to our community. Your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and commitment motivate us greatly. In closing, our deep thanks for your integral role in this extraordinary journey. Here's to another year of connection, celebration, exploration, education, and, most importantly, PLAY!
Thank you,
Ellen and Daniel Shaffhauser
